The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-07-30
DRESS AND FASHION.
American Women Said to Be the Bes
Dressed In the World.

Dressed in the World.
/ think that in dress the American
woman is too apt to follow the flash
ion" without regard to the fact whether
a particular article of dress happens to
be becoming to her or not. That is
one reason why some American women
do not appear well dressed. A lady
should dress according to the style of
her face and figure; she should use
elegant material and pay more atten-
ton to the fneness of the fabric than
to the trimmings She should study
what is becoming to her, and then get
a good fit. If she has good figure,
very well; if she has not, the dress
maker will have to make it for her.
A woman must study her physical
peculiarities. Take bonnets, for in
stance: My idea is that a woman with
a narrow, long face should not wear
very high bonnet, while one with a
round face should not wear very fiat
hat. A tall, thin woman should not
wear stripes, and short, stout woman
is not apt to appear well in dress of
check pattern.
do not think that there has been
too much dressing on the modern
stage. Our modern plays require that
there shall be rich wardrobes, and a
woman playing certain parts can
scarcely dress too deliberately. OF
course the dressing should not be put
before the acting, but should be used as
an accessory.
1t is sometimes asked who are the
best dressed women in the world? l do
not think that the ordinary English
woman dresses well, but English
women of the higher classes display a
great deal of taste. English ladies do
not dress for the street, while Ameri-
can women do. One habit in this re-
spect is matter of great surprise to
our English cousins when they come
over here, and the plainness of their
street attire is subject of wonder to
the American women when she promo
nades the streets of London. Still, it is
matter of pride to be able TO say
with truth that our American women
are the best dressed women in the
world. You will find that English
actresses, soon after they come to this
country, adopt the American styles in
dressing, which, am sure, is COM
pliment to our good taste. My opin-
ion is that Nine. Modjeska, Fanny
Davenport and Rose Coghlan are the
three best dressed actresses on the
American stage.
An effort has been made in Paris to
revive the Greek costume. 1t makes a
very rich costume, and its flowing
| draperes are very becoming to some
women. 1t may become popular and
fashionable for the time being, just as
Japanese ornamentation became popu-
lar soon after the "Mikado" was pro-
duced, about two years ago. But the
Greek costume will be only feeting
fashion, just as it was among the wo-
men of Greece.
1t is astonishing how much influence
dress has on one's feelings. In society
any woman feels at ease if she is con-
scious that her costume is proper and
becoming. And, in the dramatic art,
dress has great influence on the act
ress. The woman who is portraying
the character of society belle will
feel the part better if her wardrobe is
expensive and fashionable. And so in
other parts. When she plays the char
acter of poor girl her poverty of at
tire will serve to remind her of her i'm
aginary sufferings and help her in Civ.
ing proper expression to them. Gould
Lady Gay Spanker describe that hunt
ing scene as enthusiastically as she
does if she wore a short lawn dress, in
stead of a riding-habitP No; believe
me, that with most actresses the cos.
tune of the character has much to dc
with awakening professional enthusi
asm.
l am aware that efforts are contin'
ually made to "reform" woman's cos
tune, but l do not believe that there
will ever be any permanent reform
certainly not in America where oul
women are so fond of change. Fashions
will come and 60. 1t may be that il
the evolution of '.style" some improve
ments may be made, looking to a re
form in tight lacing and tourmures, bu
woman will always study how t.
make herself charming. She will no
fail in her endeavors to please herself
and (but let me say that very softly t.
please the sterner sex, too. Cora Tan
,,er Sim, in the Epoch.